Vascular prosthesis with crimped adapter and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The vascular prosthesis includes a luminal graft component that defines at least one fenestration and a crimped adapter at the at least one fenestration. The crimped adapter includes a perimeter and an opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the fenestration, and includes a crimped portion of generally concentric folds about the opening. The opening can move relative to the perimeter region of the crimped adapter to accommodate positioning of a branch prosthesis extending through the crimped adaptor. The vascular prosthesis is implanted in a patient to thereby treat, for example, an arterial aneurysm that spans a region of an artery that includes at least one arterial branch.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/414,208,filed May 16, 2019, which is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2018/019350, which designated the United States and was filedon Feb. 23, 2018, published in English, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/463,063, filed on Feb. 24, 2017. Theentire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) is a minimally invasiveprocedure to treat aortic aneurysms that span blood vessels arising fromthe aorta that supply blood to vital organs including the kidneys,intestine and liver. Endovascular grafts employed in FEVAR definefenestrations for insertion of branch prostheses that serve aspassageways for blood flow through arterial branches to vital organsfollowing implantation of the endovascular graft. Maximizing blood flowto vital organs and minimizing endoleaks following repair of aneurysmswith fenestrated vascular prostheses, such as juxtarenal aorticaneurysms and short-neck abdominal aortic aneurysms, present medicalchallenges that must be overcome or minimized if additional surgicalintervention is to be avoided.

Therefore, a need exits for new and improved endovascular repair devicesand methods of their use to treat arterial pathologies, such asjuxtarenal and short-neck abdominal aortic aneurysms.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to vascular prostheses for use in treatingand repairing arterial vascular damage, such as vascular damageassociated with an aortic aneurysm in regions of the aorta havingarterial branches to vital organs and tissues, such as juxtarenal aorticaneurysms and short-neck abdominal aortic aneurysms.

In one embodiment, the invention is a vascular prosthesis that includesa luminal graft component and a crimped adapter. The luminal graftcomponent includes a proximal open end, a distal open end, and defines amain lumen extending from the proximal open end to the distal open end,the luminal graft component defining at least one fenestration. Thecrimped adapter at the at least one fenestration includes a perimeterregion that is fixed to the luminal graft component and seals thefenestration. The crimped adapter also defines an opening with adiameter smaller than the diameter of the fenestration. The crimpedadapter includes a crimped portion having generally concentric foldswithin the perimeter section and about the opening, whereby the crimpedadapters can adapt to positioning of a branch prosthesis extendingthrough the opening by flexation of the folds to thereby move theopening relative to the perimeter region.

In an additional embodiment, the invention is a vascular prosthesis thatincludes a luminal graft component having a proximal open end, a distalopen end, and defining a main lumen extending from the proximal open endto the distal open end. The luminal graft component includes concentriccrimped folds about a fenestration defined by the luminal graftcomponent, whereby the concentric crimped folds defining thefenestration can move relative to the remainder of the graft component.

In a further embodiment, the invention is a method for treating anaortic aneurysm that includes delivering a vascular prosthesis throughan aorta to an aortic aneurysm of a patient. The vascular prosthesis isradially and releasably constricted and includes a luminal graftcomponent having a proximal open end, distal open end, and a main lumenextending from the proximal open end to the distal open end. The luminalgraft component also defines at least one fenestration. A crimpedadapter of the vascular prosthesis is fixed at the fenestration andincludes a perimeter region that seals the fenestration. The crimpedadapter also defines an opening with a diameter smaller than that of adiameter of the fenestration and includes a crimped portion of generallyconcentric folds within the perimeter section and about the opening,whereby the crimped adapter can adapt to positioning of a branchprosthesis extending through the opening by flexation of the folds tothereby move the opening relative to the perimeter region. The openingof the crimped adapter is substantially aligned with at least onearterial branch at the arterial aneurysm of the patient. The vascularprosthesis is at least partially released from radial constriction. Atleast one radially and releasably constricted branch prosthesis isdelivered through the proximal open end or the distal open end of theluminal graft component of the vascular prosthesis and into the mainluminal of the luminal graft component. The branch prosthesis is thendirected through the opening of the crimped adapter and the fenestrationof the luminal graft component, and a distal end of each branchprosthesis is directed into a corresponding arterial branch. Theproximal end of the branch prosthesis is secured by the opening of thecrimped adapter. Each branch prosthesis is released from radialconstriction, thereby treating the aortic aneurysm.

The vascular prostheses of the invention have several advantages by, forexample, providing the surgeon with increased flexibility to accommodateanatomical variations in the size and position of arterial branches atan aneurysm. The vascular prostheses of the invention have theadditional advantage of improving alignment between the fenestration ofthe vascular prosthesis of the invention and a branch prosthesisfollowing insertion of the branch prosthesis into the fenestration,thereby significantly reducing the incidence and severity of endoleaksand associated complications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments. Thesame number in different drawings indicated the same item.

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a vascular prosthesis of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a crimped adapter ofthe vascular prosthesis shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the crimped adapter of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the crimped adapter of FIG. 3A as seen alongline 3B-3B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the crimped adapter of FIG. 3Ataken along line 3C-3C.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of vascular prosthesis ofthe invention, including two fenestrations and two corresponding crimpedadapters that are not positioned laterally relative to each other,wherein one crimped adapter is distal to a distal apex of a stentimmediately proximal to the crimped adapter and nested between struts ofa stent immediately distal to the crimped adapter, and the other crimpedadapter is nested between struts of the stent immediately proximal tothe crimped adapter and proximal to a proximal apex of the stentimmediately distal to the crimped adapter.

FIG. 5 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the vascularprosthesis of the invention, including two fenestrations and twocorresponding crimped adapters, wherein the fenestrations arelongitudinally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vascularprosthesis, and wherein each fenestration associated with each crimpedadapter is distal to a distal apex of a stent immediately proximal tothe fenestration and nested between struts of a stent immediately distalto the fenestration.

FIG. 6 is a side view of still another embodiment of the vascularprosthesis of the invention, including two fenestrations and twocorresponding crimped adapters, wherein the fenestrations are positionedlaterally relative to each other and are distal to distal apices of animmediately proximal stent and proximal to proximal apices of animmediately distal stent.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a vascular prosthesis ofthe invention, including two fenestrations and two corresponding crimpedadapters, wherein the fenestrations are positioned laterally relative toeach other and are nested between struts of stents immediately proximaland immediately distal to the fenestration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a vascular prosthesis ofthe invention, including three fenestrations and three correspondingcrimped adapters, wherein two of the fenestrations are aligned neitherlaterally nor longitudinally relative to each other, and wherein allfenestrations are nested between struts of immediately proximal andimmediately distal stents.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a combination of a vascular prosthesis ofthe invention and a branch prosthesis suitable for use with the vascularprosthesis of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the combination shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment of a vascular prosthesis ofthe invention that includes concentric crimped folds of a luminal graftcomponent about the fenestration defined by a luminal graft component ofthe vascular prosthesis.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an embodiment of a vascular prosthesis of theinvention implanted at an aortic aneurysm of a subject.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the vascular prosthesis shown in FIG. 12, withone branch prosthesis having been implanted through a fenestration andthrough an opening defined by the associated crimped adapter of thevascular prosthesis shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a prior art deliverydevice suitable for use with the invention.

FIG. 15A is a side view of the prior art delivery device shown in FIG.14, and containing a vascular prosthesis of the invention (not shown)loaded within an introducer sheath of the prior art delivery system.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 15A afterretraction of the introducer sheath of the delivery device to expose avascular prosthesis of the invention or a branch prosthesis duringdelivery to an aneurysm site.

FIG. 15C is a side view of the delivery device shown in FIGS. 15A and15B after retraction of the delivery device from the vascular prosthesisof the invention or the branch prosthesis, thereby completingimplantation of the prosthesis and treatment of an aneurysm site in apatient.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the vascular prosthesis of FIGS. 12 and 13,wherein branch prostheses have been implanted through respectivefenestrations and openings defined by associated crimped adapters of thevascular prosthesis of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is generally directed to vascular prostheses for use intreating and repairing aortic vascular damage, such as vascular damageassociated with an aortic aneurysm in regions of the aorta havingarterial branches to vital organs and tissues, such as juxtarenal aorticaneurysms and short-neck abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The features and other details of the invention, either as steps of theinvention or as combinations of parts of the invention will now be moreparticularly described and pointed out in the claims. It will beunderstood that the particular embodiments of the invention are shown byway of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. Theprinciple features of this invention can be employed in variousembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.

When reference is made herein to a prosthesis, also referred to hereinas “stent graft,” “stent graft prosthesis,” or “vascular prosthesis,” tobe delivered, or implanted in a patient, the word “proximal” means thatportion of the prosthesis or component of the prosthesis that isrelatively close to the heart of the patient and “distal” means thatportion of the prosthesis or component of the prosthesis that isrelatively far from the heart of the patient. A “longitudinal axis,” asthat term is defined herein, means an axis along a lengthwise directionof a body that also passes through a center of gravity of the body.

When, however, reference is made to a delivery system or a component ofa delivery system employed to deliver, or implant, a prosthesis, theword, “proximal,” as employed herein, means closer to the clinicianusing the delivery system. When reference is made to a delivery systemor a component of a delivery system, “distal,” as that term is employedherein, means, further away from the clinician using the deliverysystem.

For clarity, the word “proximate” means “close to,” as opposed to themeanings ascribed to “proximal” or “distal” described above with respectto either the prosthesis or a delivery system.

One embodiment of the vascular prosthesis of the invention is shown inFIG. 1. As shown therein, vascular prosthesis 10 includes luminal graftcomponent 12 having proximal open end 14, distal open end 16, outsidesurface 18, and inside surface 20. Inside surface 20 defines main lumen22 extending from proximal open end 14 to distal open end 16. Luminalgraft component 12 defines fenestration 24 and is formed of a suitablematerial, such as are known to those skilled in the art, including, forexample, at least one member of the group consisting of expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as ePTFE, and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), such as woven polyester.

Stents 26 extend longitudinally along outside surface 18 of luminalgraft component 12, and include struts 28 that join at opposite ends todefine proximal apices 30 and distal apices 32. Bare stent 34 atproximal end 14 includes proximal apices 36 and distal apices 38, and isfixed to inside surface 20 of luminal graft component 12 at distalapices 38. Stents 28 and bare stent 34 are formed of a suitable materialknown to those skilled in the art, such as Nitinol or some othersuitable shape memory alloy. Optionally, radiopaque markers 40, such asare known to those skilled in the art, are secured by, for example,suturing or employing a biocompatible adhesive to luminal graftcomponent 12 and about a periphery of fenestration 24.

Crimped adapter 42 encompasses fenestration 24 and is fixed to luminalgraft component 12 and is sealed with luminal graft component 12 atfenestration 24. Crimped adapter 42 is formed of a suitable material,such as at least one member of the group consisting of expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as ePTFE, and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), such as woven polyester, polymers, silicone.Crimped adapter 42 is fixed to and forms a seal with luminal graftcomponent 12 about fenestration 24 by a suitable technique, such as atechnique known to those skilled in the art, including, for example, useof sutures, or by using a suitable biocompatible adhesive. In anembodiment, crimped adapter 42, stents 28 and radiopaque markers 40include radiopaque materials, such as at least one radiopacifierselected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, bismuth, tungsten,platinum, platinum-iridium, tantalum and tantalum-tungsten.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of crimped adapter 42 of vascularprosthesis 10 of the invention shown in FIG. 1. As shown therein,crimped adapter 42 includes perimeter section 43. Crimped adapter 42also defines opening 45.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of crimped adapter 42 of FIG. 2. Concentric folds53 of crimped portion 47 have an amplitude and periodicity. Crimpedportion 47 of crimped adapter 42 includes folds 53 within perimetersection 43 and arranged concentrically about opening 45. FIG. 3B is aside view of crimped adapter 42 of FIG. 3A taken along line 3B-3B, andshows perimeter section 43 of crimped adapter 42 and crimped portion 47.Perimeter section 43 includes first surface 49 and second surface 51. Ascan be seen in FIG. 3B, crimped portion 47 is raised from first surface49. Typically, when fixed to a luminal graft component of a vascularprosthesis of the invention, first surface 49 faces the outside surfaceof the luminal graft component, such as outside surface 18 of luminalgraft component 12 shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood, however,that, alternatively, perimeter section 43 can be fixed to outsidesection 18 of luminal graft component 12 at second surface 51. It isalso to be understood that either first surface 49 or second surface 51can, instead, be fixed to inside surface 20 of luminal graft component12. Further, in other embodiments, (not shown), folds of the crimpedportion 47 can be raised from both sides relative to surfaces 49 and 51of perimeter section 43 of crimped adapter 42.

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of crimped adapter of FIG. 3A takenalong line 3C-3C, showing amplitude A of period P of folds 53 betweenperimeter section 43 and opening 45. Amplitude A, in an embodiment, isin a range of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm or between about 1 mmand about 5 mm. Also, in an embodiment, period P is in a range ofbetween about 1 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 2 mm and about 4 mm.In an embodiment, the overall diameter of crimped adapter 42 is in arange of between about 10 mm to about 25 mm. In another embodiment, thediameter of opening 45 of crimped adapter 42 is in a range of betweenabout 4 mm to about 14 mm. In an embodiment, crimped adapter 42 includesbetween about 3 fold to about 10 folds. Although not shown, it is to beunderstood that, crimped portion 47 of crimped adapter 42 can becircular, oval, round, rectangular, elliptical or some other suitableshape. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, ring 41 is affixed tocircumference of perimeter section 43 of crimped adapter 42 or aboutconcentric crimped folds about a fenestration defined by the luminalgraft component of the vascular prosthesis, as shown in FIG. 11.Optionally, and is also shown in FIG. 2, ring 48 is affixed to perimeterof opening 45. Ring 41 and ring 48 can be affixed to crimped adapter 42by, for example, suturing or employing a biocompatible adhesive tocrimped adapter 42 about periphery or opening 45.

Referring back to FIG. 1, proximal apices 30 of stents 26 immediatelyproximal and distal to fenestration 24 of luminal graft component 12 aresubstantially longitudinally aligned, parallel to longitudinal axis 54,and distal apices 32 of stents 26 immediately proximal and distal tofenestration 24 of luminal graft are also longitudinally alignedparallel to longitudinal axis 54, whereby a general wave-form created byproximal apices 30 of immediately proximal and immediately distal stents26 are substantially in-phase.

In this embodiment, crimped adapter 42 lies distal to distal apices 32of immediately proximal stent 56 and are nested between struts 28 ofimmediately distal stent 58. It is to be understood that multiplefenestrations and associated crimped adapters can be similarly disposedin alternative embodiments of vascular prosthesis 10. For example, asshown in FIG. 4, an additional or alternative crimped adapter 60 can benested between struts 28 of immediately proximal stent 56 and proximalto proximal apices 30 of immediately distal stent 58. Likewise,additional or alternative fenestrations and crimped adapters can belocated in the same or similar arrangements between struts and apices ofproximal stent 56 and bare stent 34.

In still another embodiment, a plurality of fenestrations and associatedcrimped adapters can be aligned longitudinally along a vascularprosthesis of the invention. For example, FIG. 5 is an embodiment of theinvention wherein vascular prosthesis 70 includes fenestrations andassociated crimped adapters 78,80, respectively, that are aligned alonglongitudinal axis 81. In this embodiment, fenestrations and associatedcrimped adapters 78,80, respectively, lie distal to distal apices 82,84of immediately proximal stent 86,88, and are nested between struts 90,92of stents 88,90, respectively.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a vascular prosthesis of the invention.As shown therein, vascular prosthesis 100 include stents 102,105. Stent102 includes distal apices 104 and stent 105 includes proximate apices106 that are longitudinally aligned. Fenestrations and associatedcrimped adapters 112,114 of the embodiment shown lie between distalapices 104 of immediately proximal stent 102 and immediately proximal toproximal apices 106 of stent 105 immediately distal to fenestrationsrespectively. In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, vascularprosthesis 120 includes fenestrations and associated crimped adapters126,128 that are arranged laterally and nested between struts 130 ofimmediately proximal stent 132 and struts 134 of immediately distalstent 136. In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, vascularprosthesis 140 includes fenestrations and associated crimped adapters148,150,152, respectively, not all of which are longitudinally alignedor laterally aligned relative to each other, and lie nested betweenstruts 154 of immediately proximal and distal stents 156. It is to beunderstood that different combinations of the arrangements identified inFIGS. 1, and 4 through 8, are also various embodiments of the vascularprosthesis of the invention. It is also to be understood thatfenestrations and associated crimped adapters of embodiments can bearranged independently of the position of any stent component of thevascular prosthesis of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a vascular prosthesisassembly 160 of the invention. As shown therein, vascular prosthesisassembly 160 includes vascular prosthesis main body 162 and least onebranch prosthesis 164. Vascular prosthesis main body 162 includesproximal end 166 and distal end 168, and defines fenestration 170 thatis encompassed by crimped adapter 172. Branch prosthesis 164 includesproximal end 174 and distal end 176. When assembled, branch prosthesis164 extends through fenestration 170 and expanded crimped adapter 172,as shown in FIG. 10.

It is to be understood that vascular prosthesis of the invention caninclude fenestrations having crimped adapters in combination withfenestrations that are not mated with crimped adapters (not shown).

FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment of vascular prosthesis 171of the invention that includes concentric crimped folds 173 aboutfenestration 175, wherein folds 173 are formed from and as part ofluminal graft component 177. Crimped folds 173 define fenestration 175and move relative to the remainder of luminal graft component 177 inresponse to positioning of a branch prosthesis (not shown) extendingthrough fenestration 175.

In another embodiment, the invention is a method for treating an aorticaneurysm. For example, with reference to FIG. 12, vascular prosthesis180 is delivered through aorta 182 to aortic aneurysm 184 of a patient,such as by radially and releasably constraining vascular prosthesis 180by a vascular prosthesis delivery device, not shown. In this embodimentshown in FIG. 12, aneurysm site 184 spans a region of the aorta thatincludes the celiac artery 186, the superior mesenteric artery 188, andleft and right renal arteries 190,192, respectively. Vascular prosthesisincludes four fenestrations, each of which includes an associatedcrimped adapter which is substantially aligned with a correspondingarterial branch of the aorta at the aneurysm site of the patient.Vascular prosthesis 180 is then released from the vascular deliverydevice and the delivery device is removed from the patient. As shown inFIG. 13, branch prosthesis 202 is delivered by the branch prosthesisdelivery device (not shown) through proximal open end 204 or distal openend 205 of luminal graft component 208 of the vascular prosthesis 180.Branch prosthesis 202 is then directed through fenestration 194 and theassociated crimped adapter 196, and distal end 207 of branch prosthesis202 is implanted in celiac artery 186. Proximal end 209 of branchprosthesis 202 is fixed at opening of crimped adapter 196.

The vascular prosthesis of the invention, and the branch prosthesisincluded in vascular prosthesis assemblies of the invention can beimplanted by, for example, a delivery device, such as is known in theart.

FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of a prior art delivery device suitablefor delivering a vascular prosthesis of the invention or a branchprosthesis. As can be seen in FIG. 14, delivery device 230 includesguidewire catheter 232 having proximal end 234 and distal end 236.Proximal handle 238 is fixed to proximal end 234 and nose cone 240 isfixed to distal end 236. Introducer sheath 242 has proximal end 244 anddistal end 246. Distal handle 248 is fixed to proximal end 244.Introducer sheath 242 can be rigid or flexible.

FIG. 15A is a side view of delivery device 230 when assembled containingvascular prosthesis of the invention (not shown) within introducersheath 242 of delivery system 230. As can be seen therein, introducersheath 242 and distal handle 248 extend around guidewire catheter 232.Although not shown, a vascular prosthesis of the invention is held in aradially constrained position around guidewire catheter 232 and withinintroducer sheath 242. The vascular prosthesis is implanted at anarterial aneurysm by advancing delivery device 230 within an artery of apatient until the vascular prosthesis is at the arterial aneurysm 231spanning arterial branch 233. Distal handle 248 is then retracted alongguidewire catheter 232 and toward proximal handle 238 in the directionof arrow 235, as shown in FIG. 15B, thereby retracting introducer sheath242 from around vascular prosthesis 250. In another embodiment, deliverydevice 230 is advanced in an artery to position distal to arterialaneurysm 231, and proximal handle 230 is advanced in a distal directionindicated by arrow 237 to thereby direct guidewire 232 and vascularprosthesis 250 to a position spanning arterial aneurysm 231, as shown inFIG. 15B. Vascular prosthesis 250 with at least one crimped adapter andopening 251 is released from its radially constricted position andradially expands to a released position, such as by use of a ballooncatheter, or by use self-expanding radial stents, as is known in theart, and is thereby deployed at the arterial aneurysm 231. Deliverydevice 230 thereafter is removed from the patient, as shown in FIG. 15C,thereby completing implantation of vascular prosthesis 250 and treatmentof the aortic aneurysm. The same or a similar delivery device can beemployed to deliver or implant branch prosthesis 253 through 251 of avascular prosthesis 250 of the invention. It is to be understood that,alternatively, other suitable types of aortic prosthesis deliverydevices, such as are known in the art, can be employed.

As can be seen in FIG. 16, in addition to implantation of branchprosthesis 102, as shown in FIG. 13, branch prostheses 274,276,278 aredelivered through each corresponding fenestration and extend from eachcorresponding fenestration. Distal ends 280,282,284 are each directed bya respective branch prosthesis delivery device (not shown) into arespective branches 188,190,192 of aorta 182 at aortic aneurysm 184, andsecured in respective fenestrations by a crimped adapters 198,200,202 atproximal ends 286,288,290 within branch artery 188,190,192, at thedistal ends 280,282,284. Proximal ends 286,288,290, of respective branchprosthesis 274,276,278, are fixed at respective fenestrations. Eachbranch prosthesis 274,276,278, is then released from the respectivebranch prostheses delivery device. The vascular prosthesis deliverydevice and the branch prosthesis delivery device are then removed eithersimultaneously or, in sequence, thereby completing implantation andtreatment of the aortic aneurysm. In an embodiment, additional branchprostheses 211 can be implanted at distal end 205 of vascular prosthesis180, as is also shown in FIG. 16.

Although not shown, the distal end of vascular prostheses of theinvention can be bifurcated and additional prostheses can be implantedinto the distal end of the bifurcated vascular prosthesis.

Vascular prostheses of the invention can be implanted, for example, bytransfemoral access. Additional branch prostheses that are directed intothe vascular prostheses of the invention can be implanted, for example,by supraaortic vessel access (e.g., through the brachial artery), or bytransfemoral access, or access from some other branch or branch of majorblood vessels, including peripheral blood vessels.

The teachings of all patents, published applications and referencescited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Therelevant teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,292,943; 7,763,063; 8,308,790;8,070,790; 8,740,963; 8,007,605; 9,320,631; 8,062,349; 9,198,786;8,062,345; 9,561,124; 9,173,755; 8,449,595; 8,636,788; 9,333,104;9,408,734; 9,408,735; 8,500,792; 9,220,617; 9,364,314; 9,101,506;8,998,970; 9,554,929; 9,439,751; 9,592,112; 9,655,712, 9,827,123,9,877,857, 9,907,686; U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/575,673;15/166,818; 15/167,055; 14/272,818; 14/861,479; 15/478,424; 15/478,737;15/587,664; 15/604,032; 15/672,404; 15/816,772; 15/839,272; 15/417,467;PCT/US2017/025844; PCT/US2017/025849; PCT/US2017/025912;PCT/US2017/034223 and PCT/US2017/046062, are also incorporated byreference in their entirety.

The relevant teachings of International Application NumbersPCT/US2018/019355; PCT/US2018/019344; PCT/US2018/019349;PCT/US2018/019353; PCT/US2018/019354; PCT/US2018/019352;PCT/US2018/019342; PCT/US2018/019350; PCT/US2018/019351; andPCT/US2018/019510 are also incorporated by reference in their entirety.

While example embodiments have been particularly shown and described, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes inform and details may be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe embodiments encompassed by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating an arterial aneurysm,comprising the steps of: a) delivering a vascular prosthesis through anaorta to an arterial aneurysm of a patient, the vascular prosthesisbeing radially and releasably constricted, the vascular prosthesisincluding: i) a luminal graft component having a proximal open end, adistal open end, and a main lumen extending from the proximal open endto the distal open end, the luminal graft component defining at leastone fenestration; and ii) a crimped adapter at the at least onefenestration, the crimped adapter including a perimeter section that isfixed to the luminal graft component and seals the fenestration, thecrimped adapter also defining an opening with a diameter smaller thanthe fenestration, and including a crimped portion of generallyconcentric folds arranged concentrically within the perimeter sectionand about the opening, wherein the concentric folds are coplanar, andwhereby the crimped adapter can adapt to positioning of a branchprosthesis extending through the opening by flexation of the folds tothereby move the opening relative to the perimeter section, and whereinthe concentric folds of the crimped adapter have an amplitude in a rangebetween about 1 mm and about 10 mm; b) aligning the opening of thecrimped adapter with the at least one arterial branch at the arterialaneurysm of the patient; c) at least partially releasing the vascularprosthesis from radial constriction; d) delivering at least one radiallyand releasably constricted branch prosthesis through the proximal openend or the distal open end of the luminal graft component of thevascular prosthesis, into the main lumen of the luminal graft componentand then through the opening of the crimped adapter and the fenestrationof the luminal graft component, a distal end of each branch prosthesisbeing directed into a corresponding arterial branch, wherein a proximalend of the branch prosthesis is secured by the opening of the crimpedadapter; and e) releasing each branch prosthesis from radialconstriction thereby treating the arterial aneurysm.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the folds of the crimped adapter have a period in arange of between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.
 3. The method of claim 1,further including a plurality of radial stents distributedlongitudinally along the luminal graft component, the radial stentsincluding struts that define proximal apices and distal apices.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the crimped adapter includes at least onemember selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene,polyethylene terephthalate, polymer and silicon.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the vascular prosthesis includes one fenestration and onecrimped adapter.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vascularprosthesis includes two fenestrations and two crimped adapters.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the vascular prosthesis includes threefenestrations and three crimped adapters.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the vascular prosthesis includes four fenestrations and fourcrimped adapters.
 9. The method of claim 1, further including at leastone branch prosthesis, each branch prosthesis having a proximal end anda distal end, and extendable through the opening of the crimped adapterand the fenestration of the luminal graft component.